Inside justice | The Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/law/series/inside-justice
Inside justice is a series of occasional reports from courts around the countryen-gbGuardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2016Sat, 10 Dec 2016 05:17:07 GMT2016-12-10T05:17:07Zen-gbGuardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2016The Guardianhttps://assets.guim.co.uk/images/guardian-logo-rss.c45beb1bafa34b347ac333af2e6fe23f.pnghttps://www.theguardian.com
Inside justice: London Rent Assessment Panel | Samir Jerajhttps://www.theguardian.com/law/2012/oct/30/london-rent-assessment-panel
Samir Jeraj observes an independent panel settle private rental disputes, including a rare case of a flat with 'fair rent' controls<p>I arrive at the London Rent Assessment Panel near Goodge Street for a 9:30am hearing. The building is shiny and new-looking, with light created by the glass-walled offices and hearing rooms. On the wall of the waiting room is an old ward boundary map of the area around the City of London, a reminder that many more people used to live in central London until the end of the 19th century. One of five Rent Assessment Panels in England, the quasi-judicial body aims to settle disputes between private landlords and tenants in London. The hearing room itself is intimate setting with two panellists and the involved parties sitting at tables.</p><p>The first case is from a tenant contesting a rise in her current rent, which is just over £600 per month for a two-bed flat near Goodge Street. Like much of the property in the area, the lower floors have been shops and workshops, with the top floor remaining as a flat for some exhausted Victorian or Edwardian shopkeeper to retire to.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/law/2012/oct/30/london-rent-assessment-panel">Continue reading...</a>HousingSocietyRenting propertyPropertyMoneyLawCommunitiesTue, 30 Oct 2012 16:11:34 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/law/2012/oct/30/london-rent-assessment-panelPhotograph: LondonPhotos - Homer Sykes / Ala/AlamyOne of five Rent Assessment Panels in England, the quasi-judicial body aims to settle disputes between private landlords and tenants in London Photograph: LondonPhotos - Homer Sykes / Ala/AlamyPhotograph: LondonPhotos - Homer Sykes / Ala/AlamyOne of five Rent Assessment Panels in England, the quasi-judicial body aims to settle disputes between private landlords and tenants in London Photograph: LondonPhotos - Homer Sykes / Ala/AlamySamir Jeraj2012-10-30T16:11:34ZInside Justice: Edinburgh sheriff court | Duncan Campbellhttps://www.theguardian.com/law/2012/aug/15/inside-justice-edinburgh-sheriff-court
'No drink was involved,' says the prosecutor and adds: 'unusually for this court'<br /><p>There are hundreds of plays on offer at the <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/culture/edinburghfestival" title="">Edinburgh festival</a> this month but many of the dramas being played out in the city charge no admission and anticipate no five star reviews. The Edinburgh sheriff court in Chambers Street stands in the midst of much of the festival activity and many of the stories that unfold behind its doors are as strange and sad as any of the fictional offerings available nearby.</p><p>In court seven, a 20-year-old man is accused of having spat at the security officer who was patrolling the touchline during the local derby between Hearts and Hibernian at Tynecastle last year. "Had it been a jovial atmosphere?" the spat-upon man is asked by the prosecution. "No," he replies, firmly. One of his colleagues who saw the offending spittle flying through the air identifies the defendant, a Hibs fan. A police officer who had also observed the incident describes the event in greater detail: "he tilted his head back to gain momentum. It was quite overt ... I saw him congratulate himself on the fact that he had spat on the back of [the security officer's] head."</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/law/2012/aug/15/inside-justice-edinburgh-sheriff-court">Continue reading...</a>ScotlandUK newsUK criminal justiceLawAlcoholSocietyWed, 15 Aug 2012 12:44:44 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/law/2012/aug/15/inside-justice-edinburgh-sheriff-courtPhotograph: Ian Walton/Getty ImagesHibernian fans during the Hibernian and Hearts final in May 2012 in Glasgow, Scotland Photograph: Ian Walton/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Ian Walton/Getty ImagesHibernian fans during the Hibernian and Hearts final in May 2012 in Glasgow, Scotland Photograph: Ian Walton/Getty ImagesDuncan Campbell2012-08-15T12:44:44ZInside justice: Olympics fast-track court at Stratford magistrates | Duncan Campbellhttps://www.theguardian.com/law/2012/aug/01/olympics-fast-track-stratford-magistrates
Duncan Campbell reports from the east London court for the first conviction of a racially aggravated offence at the Games<p>He is, the duty solicitor in court one of Stratford magistrates court explains: "deeply remorseful and deeply embarrassed". The defendant in question, a 36-year-old Lithuanian accountant called Petras Lescinskas, with a bald head and a biker beard, is making Olympic history as the first person convicted of a racially aggravated offence at the Games. The court has heard from prosecutor, Becky Owen, that Lescinskas had been one of a group of rowdy and offensive Lithuanian basketball fans who made monkey chants during their country's match against Nigeria.</p><p>He had also stood up and made a Nazi salute while placing his fingers across his lips. His defence is that "it is common practice in his country to celebrate in this way and it is something he has been doing for some time."</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/law/2012/aug/01/olympics-fast-track-stratford-magistrates">Continue reading...</a>UK criminal justiceOlympic Games 2012LawSportUK newsRace issuesCrimeWed, 01 Aug 2012 17:22:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/law/2012/aug/01/olympics-fast-track-stratford-magistratesPhotograph: Daniel Sorabji/AFP/Getty Images'If there is one Olympic legacy the authorities would rather avoid it is a long backlog of criminal offences connected to the Games.' Photograph: Daniel Sorabji/AFP/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Daniel Sorabji/AFP/Getty Images'If there is one Olympic legacy the authorities would rather avoid it is a long backlog of criminal offences connected to the Games.' Photograph: Daniel Sorabji/AFP/Getty ImagesDuncan Campbell2012-08-01T17:22:00ZInside justice: Glasgow Heritable Courthttps://www.theguardian.com/law/2012/jun/26/inside-justice-glasgow-heritable-court
'Thank fuck for that': Audrey Gillan watches hundreds of tenants trying to avoid eviction<p>The business that takes place in Glasgow's Heritable Court building becomes pretty clear as soon as you look at the sign on the wall outside the doors. It says Eviction Helpdesk and offers legal advice for those who are about to have their cases called before this hearing, which sits every Tuesday in the city's sheriff court.</p><p>The day in court 12 begins at 10am, when the clerk calls out into the lobby: "Anyone for the <a href="http://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/sheriff/summary_cause/docs/Raising_an_Action.pdf" title="">summary cause</a> heritable court, make your way inside now please."</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/law/2012/jun/26/inside-justice-glasgow-heritable-court">Continue reading...</a>Open justiceLawHousingSocietyScotlandTue, 26 Jun 2012 16:34:14 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/law/2012/jun/26/inside-justice-glasgow-heritable-courtPhotograph: Murdo Macleod/Murdo MacLeodA young family with their mother in Easterhouse, Glasgow. Photograph: Murdo MacleodPhotograph: Murdo Macleod/Murdo MacLeodA young family with their mother in Easterhouse, Glasgow. Photograph: Murdo MacleodAudrey Gillan2012-06-26T16:34:14ZInside justice: Southwark coroner's court | Charlotte Gillhttps://www.theguardian.com/law/2012/jun/19/southwark-coroners-court-inquest
Charlotte Gill reports from an inquest into the controversial death of a man in police custody at Southwark coroner's court<p>The modern timber-clad frontage of Southwark coroner's court belies the building's history. It has been in the same spot, a short stroll south of London Bridge station in the shadow of the new Shard skyscraper, since Tudor times. Having served the area for hundreds of years, you imagine it would be a slick machine but <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/law/2012/jun/06/inquests-open-coroners-consistency" title="">court journalists often complain about how it is run</a>.</p><p>They grumble about obstructive staff who make reporting the inquests difficult and, at times, nigh on impossible. Reluctance to provide basic information that should be in the public domain is top on the list of gripes. On my arrival, there is a sign at the front desk asking all witnesses and visitors to report to reception. There is actually no legal requirement for me to make myself known to staff but I want to check which cases are sitting.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/law/2012/jun/19/southwark-coroners-court-inquest">Continue reading...</a>Deaths in custodyLawOpen justiceUK criminal justiceCrimeUK newsTue, 19 Jun 2012 10:55:20 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/law/2012/jun/19/southwark-coroners-court-inquestPhotograph: Linda Nylind/GuardianCharlotte Gill observes an inquest into the controversial death of a man in police custody Photograph: Linda Nylind for the GuardianPhotograph: Linda Nylind/GuardianCharlotte Gill observes an inquest into the controversial death of a man in police custody Photograph: Linda Nylind for the GuardianCharlotte Gill2012-06-19T10:55:20ZAudrey Gillan reports from a 'guilty plea' magistrates' court in Essexhttps://www.theguardian.com/law/2012/may/29/southend-magistrates
"She is a lady who would benefit from support from probation... she is very much alone in the world"<p>Southend's Early First Hearings Court begins the day at 10am, and all those who appear before it are expected to plead guilty. A total of 30 cases are heard, though a small amount of that work is shared with court four, the not guilty plea court. Early First Hearings is presided over by three lay magistrates - a <a href="http://www.judiciary.gov.uk/about-the-judiciary/the-judiciary-in-detail/judicial+roles/magistrates/bench-chairmen" title="">chairman</a> (who is actually a woman) and two assistants colloquially known as '<a href="http://www.judiciary.gov.uk/about-the-judiciary/the-judiciary-in-detail/judicial+roles/magistrates/bench-chairmen" title="">wingers</a>'.</p><p>Sitting in court three, they are helped by laminated cards which prompt them on legal guidelines and are steered on the finer points by a legal adviser - barrister Martin Harris. Today Louise Gloyne, Angela Skinner and John Parsons will expedite justice in a fair and sometimes kindly manner.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/law/2012/may/29/southend-magistrates">Continue reading...</a>Open justiceLawUK criminal justicePrisons and probationSocietyEssexTue, 29 May 2012 11:34:09 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/law/2012/may/29/southend-magistratesPhotograph: Sophia Evans for the GuardianSouthend-On-Sea. Photograph: Sophia Evans for the GuardianPhotograph: Sophia Evans for the GuardianSouthend-On-Sea. Photograph: Sophia Evans for the GuardianAudrey Gillan2012-05-29T11:34:09ZInside justice: Thames magistrates court, Bow, east Londonhttps://www.theguardian.com/law/2012/may/22/thames-magistrates-theft-assault
Two women charged with theft and assault appear before a district judge<p>A few miles up the road, Lord Coe and his team are busy putting the finishing touches to the London 2012 Olympic park in the hope that it will transform east London. But at Thames magistrates court in Bow, there's no talk of the Olympics, nor much sense of optimism.</p><p>With eight courtrooms, Thames magistrates is a large building which serves four of the most deprived boroughs in the country – Hackney, Newham, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest. As in any court, the bulk of the defendants are men but every now and again a woman appears in the dock. Few of them have been blessed with much luck up until this point, but, perhaps unexpectedly, appearing at Thames magistrates may give them a chance of a better future. In 2009, the mental health charity <a href="http://www.together-uk.org/our-mental-health-services/criminal-justice-mental-health/" title="">Together</a> placed its first forensic mental health practitioner here. Thames is currently the only court in London to provide this service, though the charity will roll out practitioners in Westminster and Camberwell Green later this year. The aim is to try to divert these women away from prison and get the help they need. Every woman who comes here on remand is screened and has her needs assessed.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/law/2012/may/22/thames-magistrates-theft-assault">Continue reading...</a>Open justiceLawUK criminal justiceWomenMental healthHealthSocietyDrugsPrisons and probationTue, 22 May 2012 14:09:09 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/law/2012/may/22/thames-magistrates-theft-assaultPhotograph: Martin Godwin/guardian.co.ukThames magistrates court. Photograph: Martin Godwin for the GuardianPhotograph: Martin Godwin/guardian.co.ukThames magistrates court. Photograph: Martin Godwin for the GuardianCharlotte Gill2012-05-22T14:09:09ZInside justice: Court 1A, Glasgow Sheriff Courthttps://www.theguardian.com/law/2012/may/02/glasgow-sheriff-court-domestic-abuse
Another Monday at Glasgow's busy specialist domestic abuse court<p>The public benches are crammed with restless, anxious-looking people as court 1A opens for business at 9.30am on a Monday morning. Some have the drawn faces that speak of a hard life and many are sighing, betraying their suspicion that this will be a long wait. Many have been here before.</p><p>Here, in the bowels of Glasgow's <a href="http://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/introduction.asp" title="">sheriff court</a>, the weekend's alleged perpetrators of domestic abuse and bail breachers are brought before <a href="http://www.scotland-judiciary.org.uk/36/0/Sheriffs" title="">Sheriff McKenzie</a> and are dealt with quickly. Later, the sheriff will deal with cases previously deferred for social work reports and other inquiries.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/law/2012/may/02/glasgow-sheriff-court-domestic-abuse">Continue reading...</a>Open justiceLawUK criminal justiceScotlandUK newsDomestic violenceSocietyCrimeGlasgowWed, 02 May 2012 14:55:23 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/law/2012/may/02/glasgow-sheriff-court-domestic-abusePhotograph: Murdo Macleod/GuardianGlasgow city centre. Photograph: Murdo Macleod for the GuardianPhotograph: Murdo Macleod/GuardianGlasgow city centre. Photograph: Murdo Macleod for the GuardianAudrey Gillan2012-05-02T14:55:23Z